Cruise Room

The Cruise Room opened its doors on December 6, 1933 – the day after Prohibition was repealed – and has been Denver's longest-running bar ever since. To find it, you first have to walk through the lobby of the historic Oxford Hotel, where the bar is tucked away in a single, windowless room that once operated as an illicit speakeasy. The entire space was designed by architect Charles Jaka to model a lounge on the RMS Queen Mary and is subtly shaped like a wine bottle. Inside, the room is bathed in a moody, red light that reflects off the chrome trim, brass foot rails, and a long bar with a black lacquer top. The flooring is white Carrera marble, and the layout is defined by intimate black booths set against the walls. Running from floor to ceiling are a series of large, bas-relief wall panels carved by artist Alley Henson, with each one depicting a "toast" from a different culture around the world. The menu is a focused list of classic and historic cocktails. Martinis have always been a staple here, served alongside drinks like the Sazerac and Negroni. A vintage jukebox provides a steady soundtrack of jazz music, adding to the preserved Art Deco atmosphere. The Cruise Room is a popular spot, and finding a seat at the bar or in one of the booths often means arriving early or waiting for a space to open up. A final detail to know is that the restrooms are located down a set of stairs in the hotel's basement.